Russell Wilson meets with the media Tuesday during a break in his youth football camp at N.C. State

RALEIGH – Russell Wilson feels the same way about the places he’s called home along his road to football stardom as a father does about his children.

He loves them all the same. Just in different ways.

The Seattle Seahawks quarterback is in the process of showing that affection with an impromptu homecoming tour that will see him spend the summer staging youth football camps literally from coast-to-coast.

This week, the former N.C. State star is back at his first college alma mater, imparting his knowledge and experience on eager youngsters in the Raleigh area. Before he’s through, he’ll also put on similar events in his hometown of Richmond, his other college stop in Madison, Wis., Spokane, Wash. – where he spent a summer playing minor league baseball – and his current residence of Seattle.

It’s all a way of saying thanks to those who helped him get where he is today, while giving something back to those hoping to follow in his footsteps

Russell Wilson passed for 3,118 yards and 26 touchdowns for the Seattle Seahawks in his first NFL season last year.

“For me, it’s about the experiences I’ve had,” Wilson said Tuesday during a break in the Russell Wilson Passing Academy. “It’s changed my life for the better. It’s helped me grow as an individual to be around new people. That’s what helped me make the transition into the NFL.”

It’s also doesn’t hurt that Wilson possesses uncommon grit and character, traits that helped him overcome a perceived lack of size to become a national sensation while leading the Seahawks to within 31 seconds of the NFC Championship Game in his rookie season.

Learning the importance of those intangibles are as much a part of Wilson’s camp curriculum as are the physical aspects of the game.

Although there was plenty of on-the-field instruction being done Tuesday – with Wilson and former Wolfpack teammates such as J.R. Sweezy, Jake Vermiglio and Earl Wolff serving as coaches – a “Dream Tent” was also set up for the young campers to help them begin thinking about their goals and how they can about achieving them.

“They’re all special kids and they work so hard. It’s pretty impressive,” Wilson said. “I told them to continue to keep their head (up) and work hard. I told them to write out their dream, their sports dream but also their life dream. That’s kind of an awesome experience for them and a little change up for them.”

Change is something with which Wilson has become all too familiar, especially given the set of circumstances that led to his departure from State.

The amazingly mature 24-year-old was still undecided about returning to the Wolfpack for his final season of college football eligibility when he was given an ultimatum by then-coach Tom O’Brien in April 2010.

Unwilling to commit because of his attempt at playing professional baseball, Wilson was released from his scholarship with the Wolfpack. He eventually returned to football, leading Wisconsin to the Rose Bowl in a move that ruffled the feathers of many State supporters.

Suggesting a potential post-football career in diplomacy, Wilson has managed to sooth most of those hard feelings by professing his love for State – where he earned his bachelor’s degree – while also being mindful not to offend anyone at Wisconsin.

Russell finished his N.C. State career ranking third in school history with 8,545 passing yards and second with 76 touchdowns.

That was never more evident that the way he handled his pregame introduction on NBC’s Sunday Night Football telecast when the Seahawks played the San Francisco 49ers. Instead of identifying himself with either school, he simply said he was from “a whole Pack of Badgers” – a phrase referring to the mascots of each.

Even Tuesday, he remained neutral on his college allegiance by wearing a Seahawks blue t-shirt with his camp’s logo emblazoned on the front in florescent green.

“I had great relationships with people here, great friendships I built through my teammates and some amazing fans,” Wilson said of State, adding that he feels an “energy” because of the arrival of new coach Dave Doeren. “To be around here again … it’s a good experience for me.

“I love N.C. State. I love Wisconsin from the year I went there. Both schools are really special. I met great, great people at both schools. I just want to be a part of both.”